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E3: Gift Policy
Approved: 07/24/2000
Revised: 08/28/2019; 01/22/2020; 3/24/2021

The Ypsilanti District Library welcomes and encourages gifts consistent with the Library’s mission, policies, and strategic plan goals.  Donations are not intended to replace regularly budgeted Library expenditures, however, private resources can extend and enrich Library services.  The Board of Trustees acknowledges the great importance of gifts to the Library’s future development.

Gifts shall meet the same selection criteria as purchased materials. The Library retains unconditional ownership of all gifts and reserves the right to reject any gift.

Collection Materials

The Library is pleased to accept print (books) and non-print (DVDs, CDs, etc.) materials when they comply with YDL Policy B1: Materials Selection.  All such gifts are accepted with the understanding that if YDL is unable to use the materials, they will be donated to the Friends of the Ypsilanti District Library, which raises money through book sales to support YDL. Unused donations cannot be returned to the donor.

Monetary Donations

 The Library gratefully accepts gifts of money.  These donations can take a number of forms:

Memorials and Tributes.   The Library will purchase materials for its collection to recognize, thank, honor, celebrate or remember a special person, pet, or milestone event.  These gifts enhance YDL’s collection and give you the satisfaction of knowing your generosity benefits the entire community.  A book plate with your custom tribute message will be placed in each new item purchased with your donation.

Gift Fund.  Donations to the YDL Gift Fund may be directed toward special purposes, such as programs, buildings and grounds, equipment, or library materials.  They may be in response to a specific request or unsolicited.  For gifts of $1000 or more, Library staff work closely with donors to identify projects of mutual interest.

Ypsilanti District Library Endowment Fund. This fund, administered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, invests gifts so they become a permanent source of community capital.  The funds and their investment earnings are preserved for future needs, such as library expansion or capital improvements, that public funding alone cannot meet.

Gifts of Stocks, Mutual Funds.  The Library may receive gifts of stock, bonds, mutual funds or other similar assets.  The Library has exclusive authority to determine whether the gifts may be kept in the form given, which will be guided by the laws related to investments of public funds.  If the Library is not authorized to keep an asset in the form given or if the Library determines it is in the best interest of the Library to, the Library shall sell the Stock, bond, mutual fund or other asset as soon as feasible and deliver the proceeds realized from the sale to an appropriate fund as permitted.

Planned Giving.   Individuals may leave a lasting impact on YDL through estate planning. Planned gifts include bequests through estates or wills, charitable trusts, and annuities. Consider remembering the Library as you prepare or revise your will.

Monetary donations can be made in cash, by check, or with a credit card either in the library or at ypsilibrary.org/donate.  Checks should be made out to “Ypsilanti District Library” and include the mailing address of the donor.

Real Estate

Offers of donations of real estate will be considered by the Library Board and must be approved by a vote of the Board.

Other Gifts

The Library shall maintain a Wish List at ypsilibrary.org/donate for supplies it commonly needs and special items it would love to have.

All other gifts (art, furniture, technology, etc.) must be discussed with the Library Director.  All conditions pertaining to the donation must be clearly stated at the time.  The Library Board of Trustees will make the final decision to accept or decline the gift.  Such gifts will be considered in light of the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the Library’s mission, policies and strategic plan goals;
  • Space required to house or store the gift(s);
  • Aesthetic fit within existing spaces;
  • Cost to maintain or preserve the gift(s).

All such donations accepted by the Library Board of Trustees become the property of the Ypsilanti District Library and may be sold or discarded as the Library sees fit.

Gifts to Library Staff

Individual Library staff cannot accept valuable gifts or any form of currency for the services they provide in their jobs.  Appreciative patrons are encouraged to make contributions to YDL as a whole, or provide a gift that all staff can enjoy equally.  This policy is to ensure that staff will treat all members of the public equally, and that no preferential treatment is shown or expected.

Donor Recognition

The Library will provide a receipt for donated collection materials upon request.

Other gifts will receive a written acknowledgement.  The appraisal of the gift for tax purposes is the responsibility of the donor.

Written acknowledgement of financial contributions will list the exact amount of the contribution. Acknowledgements are also sent to individuals whom donors wish to notify of the gift.

Unless donors indicate their gift should remain anonymous, for all gifts besides book sale materials, donor names may be published in reports to the Board, the library newsletter, on the library website, or via bookplates when appropriate.

Donors who contribute $1,000 or more are recognized with a plaque on the donor wall at the Whittaker Road Library.  Donations supporting specific capital improvements may be recognized at other Ypsilanti District Library locations based on Board direction.

Large donations in support of capital improvement projects may qualify for naming rights. See Policy C2: Naming Library Buildings and Spaces.

Tax Benefits

The Ypsilanti District Library is a 501(c)(3) not for profit charitable organization. Your donation to the YDL is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Monetary donations to the YDL are tax deductible. However, certain donations in which donors receive a good or service in return for a donation are not tax deductible or may be only partially deductible. Please consult with your financial advisor for the tax implications of your donation.

YDL’s Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN) is 38-2462745.